Systems and methods for searching for entertainment tickets via internet

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for collecting and listing entertainment ticket information from multiple data sources, and facilitating the sales of entertainment tickets over a network. In accordance with one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided for offering to sell entertainment tickets over a network. The method includes the steps of providing exhibition data importation rules for importing exhibition data, electronically receiving the exhibition data from multiple exhibition data feeds in accordance with the exhibition data importation rules, and electronically eliminating any duplicates from the exhibition data. The method further includes the step of providing, over the network, to a user a listing of entertainment exhibitions in accordance with user-selected or selected criteria, in which the listing provides an option to purchase an exhibition ticket from an entertainment ticket provider. In the method, the exhibition data may include an entertainment identification information, an entertainment exhibition location, and an entertainment exhibition time.

BACKGROUND

1. Copyright Notice

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material towhich a claim for copyright is made. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but reserves all other copyright rightswhatsoever.

2. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to computerized systems andmethods for offering to sell entertainment tickets over a network. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to systems and methods that collectand list entertainment ticket information from multiple data sources,and facilitate the sales of entertainment tickets over a network.

3. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, the rise of the Internet has led to an increase in thepopularity of shopping and purchasing over the Internet. While remoteshopping and purchasing has been available for many years in the form ofcatalogues, shopping channels on broadcast or cable television, or overthe telephone, the presentation of information in such an environment islimited and static, and is not user-interactive. The shopper is not ableto return to a previous section of the program in order to reviewinformation or availability of a product or service. A shopper may onlybe interested in the availability or a particular aspect of the productor service, but there is no way for the user to choose which informationof the product or service are to be reviewed. In addition, it isdifficult for the user to increase the speed of the transaction, sincethe information which is vital for the transaction (e.g., price, terms,availability, etc) is usually not available until the end of thepresentation of the product or service.

The Internet has solved some of these problems. Shoppers are able tointeract with online catalogues or shopping malls in a variety of ways.The Internet has fewer restrictions and permits a more user guidedelectronic shopping experience. A user may browse the Internet aboutupcoming entertainment exhibitions (e.g., movies, concerts, theater,dances, art shows, museum exhibits, sporting events), the user maycollect information for the upcoming entertainment exhibitions, such asexhibition locations, exhibition times, ticket and/or spaceavailability, ticket prices, and the like. More importantly, the usermay also purchase tickets for the upcoming entertainment exhibitionsover the Internet via entertainment ticket providers such as Fandango™and MovieTickets™. However, such entertainment ticket providers provideincomplete coverage of available ticketable entertainment exhibitions ata single site.

In the view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved solutions foroffering to sell entertainment tickets. For example, there is a need forcomputerized systems and methods that collect and list entertainmentticket information from multiple data sources at a single site, andfacilitate the sales of entertainment tickets. Moreover, there is a needfor improved systems and methods that provide more flexibility andoptions to end users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Consistent with the principles of the present invention, computerizedsystems and methods are provided for offering to sell entertainmenttickets over a network. In addition, systems and methods consistent withthe present invention are provided for collecting and listingentertainment ticket information from multiple data sources, andfacilitating the sales of entertainment tickets. Moreover, systems andmethods are disclosed for providing more flexibility and options to endusers.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a computer-implementedmethod is provided for offering to sell entertainment tickets over anetwork. The method comprises the steps of providing exhibition dataimportation rules for importing exhibition data, electronicallyreceiving the exhibition data from multiple exhibition data feeds inaccordance with the exhibition data importation rules, andelectronically eliminating any duplicates from the exhibition data. Inaddition, the method comprises the step of providing, over the network,to a user a listing of entertainment exhibitions in accordance withuser-selected or selected criteria, in which the listing provides anoption to purchase an exhibition ticket from an entertainment ticketprovider. In the method, the exhibition data may include anentertainment identification information, an entertainment exhibitionlocation, and an entertainment exhibition time.

Consistent with another embodiment of the present invention, acomputer-readable medium is provided containing instructions forperforming a method when the instructions are executed by a processor.The method may offer to sell entertainment tickets over a network. Themethod comprises the step of providing exhibition data importation rulesfor importing exhibition data including an entertainment identificationinformation, an entertainment exhibition location, and an entertainmentexhibition time. Further, the method comprises the steps ofelectronically receiving the exhibition data from multiple exhibitiondata feeds in accordance with the exhibition data importation rules,electronically eliminating any duplicates from the exhibition data andproviding, over the network, to a user a listing of entertainmentexhibitions in accordance with user-selected or selected criteria, inwhich the listing provides an option to purchase an exhibition ticketfrom an entertainment ticket provider.

Consistent with another embodiment of the present invention, a system isprovided for offering to sell entertainment tickets over a network. Thesystem comprises a data importation rule module for providing exhibitiondata importation rules for importing exhibition data and an exhibitiondata receiving module for electronically receiving the exhibition datafrom a plurality of exhibition data feeds in accordance with theexhibition data importation rules. The system further comprises aduplicate elimination module for electronically eliminating anyduplicates from the exhibition data and a listing module for providing,over the network, to a user a listing of entertainment exhibitions inaccordance with user-selected or selected criteria, in which the listingprovides an option to purchase an exhibition ticket from anentertainment ticket provider. In the system, the exhibition data mayinclude an entertainment identification information, an entertainmentexhibition location, and an entertainment exhibition time.

Consistent with yet another embodiment of the invention, acomputer-implemented method and a computer-readable medium containinginstructions for performing a method are presented for providing anelectronic template for entertainment tickets over a network. The methodcomprises the step of providing the electronic template for displayingentertainment data for use in a computer-implemented method for offeringto sell entertainment tickets, the method for offering to sellcomprising the steps of receiving exhibition data from a plurality ofexhibition data feeds in accordance with exhibition data importationrules, in which the exhibition data is filtered for any duplicates, andproviding, over the network, to a user a listing of entertainmentexhibitions in accordance with user-selected or selected criteria, inwhich the listing provides an option to purchase an exhibition ticketfrom an entertainment ticket provider. In the method, the entertainmentdata may include entertainment-specific data corresponding to aspecified entertainment and the exhibition data may include anentertainment identification information, an entertainment exhibitionlocation, and an entertainment exhibition time.

Consistent with yet another embodiment of the invention, a system ispresented for providing an electronic template for entertainment ticketsover a network. The system comprises a template module for providing theelectronic template for displaying entertainment data for use in asystem for offering to sell entertainment tickets, the system foroffering to sell comprising an exhibition data receiving module forreceiving exhibition data in accordance with the electronic template, inwhich the exhibition data is obtained from a plurality of exhibitiondata feeds in accordance with exhibition data importation rules and theexhibition data is filtered for any duplicates, and a listing module forproviding, over the network, to a user a listing of entertainmentexhibitions in accordance with user-selected or selected criteria, inwhich the listing provides an option to purchase an exhibition ticketfrom an entertainment ticket provider. In the system, the entertainmentdata may include entertainment-specific data corresponding to aspecified entertainment and the exhibition data may include anentertainment identification information, an entertainment exhibitionlocation, and an entertainment exhibition time.

Consistent with a further embodiment of the invention, acomputer-implemented method and a computer-readable medium containinginstructions for performing a method are presented for providingexhibition data over a network. The method comprises the step ofelectronically sending the exhibition data for use in acomputer-implemented method for offering to sell entertainment tickets,the method for offering to sell comprising the steps of electronicallyreceiving the exhibition data from a plurality of exhibition data feedsin accordance with exhibition data importation rules, electronicallyeliminating any duplicates from the exhibition data, and providing to auser a listing of entertainment exhibitions in accordance withuser-selected or selected criteria, in which the listing provides anoption to purchase an exhibition ticket from an entertainment ticketprovider. In the method, the exhibition data may include anentertainment identification information, an entertainment exhibitionlocation, and an entertainment exhibition time.

Consistent with a further embodiment of the invention, a system ispresented for providing exhibition data over a network. The systemcomprises an exhibition data sending module for electronically sendingthe exhibition data for use in a system for offering to sellentertainment tickets, the system for offering to sell comprising anexhibition data receiving module for electronically receiving theexhibition data from a plurality of exhibition data feeds in accordancewith exhibition data importation rules, a duplicate elimination modulefor electronically eliminating any duplicates from the exhibition data,and a listing module for providing to a user a listing of entertainmentexhibitions in accordance with user-selected or selected criteria, inwhich the listing provides an option to purchase an exhibition ticketfrom an entertainment ticket provider. In the system, the exhibitiondata may include an entertainment identification information, anentertainment exhibition location, and an entertainment exhibition time.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only,and should not be considered restrictive of the scope of the invention,as described and claimed. Further, features and/or variations may beprovided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, embodimentsof the invention may be directed to various combinations andsub-combinations of the features described in the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments and aspects ofthe present invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system configuration foroffering to sell entertainment tickets over a network;

FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram of an exemplary configuration of aprocessor;

FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary method for offering to sellentertainment tickets over a network;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary database schema for storing the exhibitiondata and eliminating duplicates in the exhibition data; and

FIGS. 5A-C illustrate exemplary graphical user interfaces (GUIs) forsearching for entertainment tickets over a network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, computerizedsystems and methods are provided for offering to sell entertainmenttickets over a network. As used herein, the term “entertainment” refersto any recreational, educational, interactive, or other leisureactivity. Examples of entertainment includes movies, concerts, dances,theatre, art shows, museum exhibits, sporting events, theme parks, andthe like. An entertainment may have one or more exhibitions. In thisdisclosure, the terms “exhibition,” “show,” “showing,” “event,” and“performance” may be used interchangeably and should not be deemed tolimit the scope or applicability of the invention.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, embodiments of theinvention can be adapted to offer to sell tickets for entertainment overa network. In one embodiment consistent with the present invention,computerized systems and methods are provided for offering to sell movietickets over the Internet, by receiving and merging movie showing datafrom multiple data sources into a single database on a periodic orcontinuous basis. The systems and methods may eliminate duplicateinformation in the movie showing data, and provide unique formattingdata based on the branding of the movies. The systems and methods allowusers to search for theaters at a specified location, select one or moremovies, and click on a link or button that takes them to an appropriate3rd party provider, such as Fandango™ and MovieTickets™, to purchase anadvance movie ticket, without having to navigate through multiple sitesand pages. The disclosed embodiments and components thereof may beimplemented through any suitable combination of hardware, software,and/or firmware.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system configuration 10,consistent with the principles of the present invention. The componentsof system 10 may be adapted to offer to sell entertainment tickets overa network 160 after receiving exhibition data from a plurality ofexhibition data feeds 170, and providing a listing of entertainmentexhibition to users 120.

As shown in FIG. 1, system 10 includes a server 100 with a processor 101and, optionally, a data interface 105. Server 100 is connected to adatabase 110 for storing data, such as exhibition data received fromexhibition data feeds 170 a-170 n (e.g., Tribune Media, Cinema Source),as well as data representing various rules (e.g., data importationrules) and/or other input provided from users 120 a-120 n. Data fromexhibition data feeds 170 a-170 n and users 120 a-120 n may be sent toserver 100 via a network 160. In addition, entertainment data fromentertainment data feeds 180 a-180 n (e.g., movie studios) mayoptionally be provided to server 100 via network 160. Each of thesecomponents is described in greater detail below.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the number andorientation of the components illustrated in FIG. 1 are merely areexamples and do not limit the scope of the invention. Therefore, otherarrangements and sets of components are feasible, consistent with theprinciples of the invention. Further, it is noted that any combinationof the components in system 10 may be owned and/or operated by a serviceprovider. Moreover, several of the components (such as exhibition datafeeds 170 a-170 n, entertainment data feeds 180 a-180 n, and server 100)may be owned and/or operated by a third party for the purposes ofproviding data and/or otherwise facilitating the service provider tosell or offer to sell entertainment tickets.

Exhibition data feeds 170 a-170 n may serve as data sources forproviding exhibition data for one or more entertainment. The exhibitiondata may include entertainment identification information, exhibitionlocation, exhibition time, and other data pertaining to an exhibition.Examples of exhibition data that may be provided by data feeds 170 a-170n include movie identification information (e.g., full title, shorttitle, identification number), movie showing locations (e.g., movietheater name, movie theatre ZIP® code), movie showing times. Theexhibition data from exhibition data feeds 170 a-170 n may be sent on afrequent or periodic basis (e.g., daily) to server 100. In oneembodiment, exhibition data feeds are sent on a daily basis to provideentertainment exhibition data and/or other updates at the end of abusiness day or during the evening. In another embodiment, position datafeeds are sent hourly, substantially simultaneously, or in real-time.All exhibition data provided by exhibition data feeds 170 a-170 n may bestored in database 110 or operated upon in real-time.

Users 120 a-120 n represent end users of system 10. Users 120 a-120 nhaving access privileges may be authorized to access restricted featuresof system 10. Examples of authorized users include analysts, managers,or any users with authority to enter, modify, or delete data importationrules, exhibition data, entertainment data, and/or other data. Accessrights and privileges of each authorized user may be controlled by asystem administrator 115. Conventional security models and techniquesmay be used for granting access rights and privileges to users 120 a-120n. The rights and privileges of each authorized user may enable the userto access user-traffic data and/or add, modify, or remove dataimportation rules, exhibition data, entertainment data, and/or otherdata.

Entertainment data feeds 180 a-180 n provide entertainment data such asentertainment identification information, entertainment type,entertainment rating, entertainment release date, entertainment price,entertainment branding information, or any other data or informationthat is desired to be included in the entertainment data. Examples ofentertainment data that may be provided by entertainment data feeds 180a-180 n and the authorized users include movie identificationinformation (e.g., full title, short title, identification number),movie type (e.g., comedy, drama, documentary), entertainment rating(e.g., “G”, “PG”, “PG-13”, “R”), movie release date, movie price, andmovie branding information (e.g., sound clips, background, specialcharacters). Examples of entertainment data feeds include movie studios,such as Time-Warner®, Paramount®, Touchstone®, Miramax®. Data fromentertainment data feeds 180 a-180 n may be stored in database 110 oroperated upon in real-time, and used by processor 101 to provide userswith information associated with the entertainment.

In operation, server 100 receives data from the various data sources insystem 10 (i.e., authorized users, exhibition data feeds 170 a-170 n,and/or entertainment data feeds 180 a-180 n). The received data may befiltered, mapped, and/or otherwise processed in accordance to dataimportation rules prior to processing by processor 101 or storage indatabase 110. For example, as described below, a data interface 105 maybe provided to filter and map data from exhibition data feeds 170 a-170n, and/or entertainment data feeds 180 a-180 n. Such processing maynormalize the data, eliminate duplicates in the data, and catchexceptions or errors. Subsequent to the processing of entertainmentand/or exhibition data, processor 101 may list the exhibition data tousers 120 a-n. In one embodiment, the exhibition data is electronicallypresented to users 120 a-120 n via a customized graphical user interfacehaving an entertainment-specific interface (e.g., movie sound clips,movie background, movie special characters).

The components shown in FIG. 1, including server 100, database 110, asystem administrator 115, users 120 a-120 n, exhibition data feeds 170a-170 n, and entertainment data feeds 180 a-180 n, may comprise acomputing device or platform, such as a computer, laptop, server,mainframe, and the like. By way of example, such a computing device mayinclude a central processing unit (CPU), a disk drive, a memory, and/ora network access device. Further, server 100 may be embodied as acentral server (as represented in FIG. 1) or any number of distributedservers (not shown), and may comprise software applications or modulesfor implementing processor 101 and data interface 105.

The CPU of a computing device may be any appropriate processor or set ofprocessors for executing program instructions. Memory may be RAM or anyanother permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary storage device,including ROM and flash memory. Disk drives may comprise a hard diskdrive, an optical drive, or any other type of data storage device.

The network access device of a computing device may be a modem, a cablemodem, an Ethernet card, a T1 line connector, or any other access devicefor connecting a respective system component (e.g., server 100, database110, system administrator 115, users 120, exhibition data feeds 170,entertainment data feeds 180) to another system component or connectinga respective system component directly to network 160. Network 160 maybe any combination of wired or wireless networks for facilitating theelectronic communication of data. By way of example, network 160 maycomprise a private network, such as a local-area network, or a wide-areanetwork, and/or a public network, such as the Internet. Further,conventional protocols and encryption methods may be utilized forelectronically transmitting data over or to and from network 160. Forexample, http or ftp protocols may be used for data transfers, andencryption may be achieved through secure ftp or secure copy.

Although not shown, each of the computing devices in FIG. 1 may beconnected to one or more input devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, orsome other type of means for inputting data to computing device,including wireless devices. Further, each of the computing devices maybe connected to one or more display devices, such as a monitor or anyother visual and/or audiovisual output device, including wirelessdevices.

Processor 101 may include a number of modules or applications forperforming various functions. These modules or applications may besoftware-enabled or computerized. For example, as further describedbelow with reference to FIG. 2, processor 101 may include a dataprocessing module 205, as well as a comparison matrix module 210, a dataimportation rule module 215, and a listing module 220.

In the example of FIG. 1, server 100 receives data from exhibition datafeeds 170 a-170 n and optionally from entertainment data feeds 180 a-180n, and may communicate with database 110 to retrieve and store data.Database 110 may comprise any conventional database management system.Examples include, but are not limited to, an Oracle® relational databasemanagement system, a Microsoft® SQL Server, and Sybase®. In oneembodiment, database 110 is configured to perform various functions,such as data retrieval or calculations.

Consistent with embodiments of the invention, electronically receiveddata may be filtered and mapped by data interface 105 before beingprocessed by processor 101. Specifically, data interface 105 may mapdata from exhibition data feeds 170 a-170 n and entertainment data feeds180 a-n in accordance with data references (e.g., entertainmentidentification information, etc). Processing may include formatting datato ensure consistency with the specified data format(s), resolvingmissing data, flagging data inconsistencies or errors, and mapping datato associate it with the entertainment and/or exhibition. Data interface105 may filter, map, and load data from exhibition data feeds 170 a-170n and/or entertainment data feeds 180 a-180 n by utilizing a dataloading tool, such as Informatica®. Further, data interface 105 maycomprise a job scheduling tool, such as AUTOSYS®, that periodicallyinitiates the data filtering, mapping, and loading. Data interface 105may also directly upload static data files into database 110. Moreover,data interface 105 may replicate data into database 110 from othersystems using replication technology, such as Sybase® DirectConnectReplication.

As stated above, processor 101 processes data provided from exhibitiondata feeds 170 a-170 n and entertainment data feeds 180 a-180 n.Further, processor 101 provides exhibition listings for users 120 basedon user-selected or selected criteria (e.g., location information,exhibition time, entertainment name, entertainment type, entertainmentrating, entertainment release date, and entertainment price) entered byusers 120 a-120 n or otherwise specified.

In accordance with still further embodiments of the invention,authorized users may generate reports using processor 101 and/ordatabase 110. Reports may be generated or otherwise provided on aperiodic basis, such as hourly, daily, weekly, or any pre-defined periodof time. Reports may also be generated on-demand or an ad-hoc basis. Thereport generation and ad-hoc query capabilities may be provided by areporting tool, an example of which is Business Objects® products by WebIntelligence®. Browser-based user interfaces, including rules andoptions entry forms, alerts, and reports, may be developed usinghigh-level programming languages such as Java®, C#, or ASP+. Further,browser-based user interfaces may be deployed on servers such as aWebSphere application server and Apache HTTP server.

In one embodiment, browser-based displays of sales data, or a dashboarddisplay, may be grouped by entertainment identification information,exhibition location, and the like, and provide authorized users with thecapability to view the sales data. Further, authorized users may becapable of viewing data in pre-defined report formats. Authorized usersmay also generate historic reports based on stored data and selectioncriteria such as entertainment identification information, exhibitionlocation, and the like.

System administrator 115 may have various administrativeresponsibilities over the automated system 10, such as maintaining themapping and filtering capabilities and/or other options in datainterface 105, maintaining the data stored in database 110, andmaintaining access rights and privileges of users. System administrator115 may administer exhibition data, including identifying exhibitiondata issues and communicating with the proprietors of exhibition datafeeds 170 a-170 n to resolve data issues or errors. System administrator115 may also administer entertainment data, including identifyingentertainment data issues and communicating with the proprietors ofentertainment data feeds 180 a-180 n to resolve data issues or errors.

In one embodiment, administrator 115 and/or authorized user(s) mayoverride entertainment and/or exhibition data using data overridefunctionality. Data override allows a user, such as administrator 115 oran authorized user, to supplement or override entertainment and/orexhibition data by specifying specific data such as entertainment name,customization information, exhibition price, exhibition availability,and the like.

Referring to FIG. 2, a detailed diagram of an exemplary configuration ofprocessor 101 is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, processor 101 includesdata processing module 205 and listing module 220, and may includecomparison matrix 210 and data importation rule module 215. Each ofthese modules or components may be implemented with software.

Data processing module 205 receives and processes user data (e.g., alocation information, an exhibition time, an entertainment name, anentertainment type, an entertainment rating, an entertainment releasedate, an entertainment price, and the like) entered by users 120 orotherwise specified. Data processing module 205 also receives andprocesses the exhibition data, and, optionally, the entertainment data.The exhibition data may be received and processed based on the dataimportation rules (e.g., data scripts, lookup tables, stored procedures)defined by the authorized users and stored in data importation rulemodule 215. Data processing 205 may be initialized or scheduled toreceive and process the exhibition data or the entertainment data atpredetermined intervals (e.g., hourly, daily, weekly) or substantiallysimultaneously with the receipt of user-entered data.

The received data may further be filtered, mapped, and/or otherwiseprocessed in accordance to a comparison matrix stored in comparisonmatrix module 210. For example, as described below and illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, processor 100 and/or data interface 105 may use thecomparison matrix to process data from exhibition data feeds 170 a-170 nand/or entertainment data feeds 180 a-180 n. Such processing maynormalize the data, eliminate duplicates in the data, and catchexceptions or errors.

Listing module 220 provides a listing the exhibition data to users 120a-n. In one embodiment, listing module 220 electronically presents theexhibition data to users 120 a-120 n via one or more customizedgraphical user interfaces (GUIs) having entertainment-specificinterfaces (e.g., movie sound clips, movie background, movie specialcharacters), as described below and illustrated in FIGS. 5A-C. A browseror similar software may be used to display the GUIs on the computingdevice of users 120 a-n.

In one embodiment, templates are provided for collecting and listingentertainment and/or exhibition data, and offering to sell entertainmenttickets. Templates may include any combination of data display fields,graphics, data entry fields, drop-down windows, selection boxes andother fields to enable exhibition and/or entertainment data to bedisplayed to users 120 or selected by users 120. The layout of atemplate for each type of entertainment (e.g., movies, concerts, artshows, museum exhibits, sporting events) may be uniform or standardizedso that data providers electronically sends the exhibition and/orentertainment data in a proper format.

FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary method for collecting andlisting entertainment and/or exhibition data from multiple data sources.At the start of the process indicated in stage 300, server 100 of system10 receives data from one or more data sources (e.g., authorized users,exhibition data feeds 170, or entertainment feeds 180). Feedspecifications may be provided to ensure that the data is sent in theproper format. Server 100 may receive the data on a periodic basis(e.g., hourly, daily, or weekly), on demand, or substantially inreal-time. Further, server 100 may receive the data via network 160.Server 100 may also receive the data through a direct upload of staticdata or by using a replication process (e.g., Sybase DirectConnectReplication).

In stage 310, server 100 may process the data by using data interface105 and/or data processing module 205 to prepare the data for duplicateelimination in stage 320. By way of example, data interface 105 and/ordata processing module 205 may process the data utilizing a data loadingtool (e.g., Informatica). As described above, data interface 105 and/ordata processing module 205 may filter the data to ensure the quality ofthe data and catch data errors. Examples of data errors feed datainclude an exhibition that is associated with the wrong entertainment,an invalid exhibition location, and the like. In some cases, datainterface 105 and/or data processing module 205 may use existing data toresolve errors in the entertainment and/or exhibition data. In othercases, the data errors may be unresolved and, as result, the invaliddata is discarded. Data feeds found to be valid may be mapped toassociate, for example, the exhibition data with the correctentertainment data. All processed data may be stored in database 110 orstreamed directly to users 120.

Next, in stage 320, processor 101 and/or data interface 105 eliminatesany duplicates in the exhibition data in accordance to the comparisonmatrix in comparison matrix 210. The exemplary duplicate eliminationprocess may eliminate, for example, duplicate movies or duplicate movielocations according to the comparison matrix. An exemplary comparisonmatrix is described in greater detail below with reference to anexemplary database schema 400 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Exemplarydatabase schema 400 stores the exhibition data for movie exhibitions,and includes exhibitor tables 410 and 460, theater tables 420 and 470,film tables 430 and 480, show times tables 440 and 490, and a duplicatetheater table 450.

The comparison matrix may first search duplicate theater table 450 todetermine which theaters, as stored in theater tables 420 and 470, areduplicates. Next, the comparison matrix may compare ZIP® codes andcity+state of theaters in theater tables 420 and 470. If the ZIP® codesand the city+state of theaters in theater tables 420 and 470 match, thecomparison matrix may compare names, phone numbers, and street addressesof theaters in theater tables 420 and 470. If any of the theaters′names, phone numbers, and street addresses match, then the theaters maybe considered to be duplicates. All or some of the theaters found to beduplicates may be eliminated from the exhibition data.

In stage 330, listing module 220 in processor 101 provides one or morelistings of entertainment exhibitions based on the exhibition dataand/or entertainment data received and processed in stages 300-320. Asillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, users devices, like hard disks, floppydisks, or CD-ROM; a carrier wave from the Internet or other propagationmedium; or other forms of RAM or ROM.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. Therefore, the specification and examplesshould be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit ofthe invention being indicated by the following claims. 120 may select anentertainment (e.g., a movie) and enter user-selected criteria (e.g.,ZIP® code, city and state name, exhibition date). In accordance with theuser-selected criteria and other selected criteria, listing module 220provides a listing of exhibitions and an option to purchase one or moreexhibition tickets from an entertainment ticket provider, an example ofwhich is illustrated in FIG. 8. The listing of exhibitions may berandomized in relation to one or more criteria, such as theentertainment ticket provider (e.g., Fandango™, MovieTickets™), theexhibition data feeds (e.g., Tribune Media, Cinema Source), and theexhibition location (e.g., movie theater). When users 120 select theoption to purchase one or more exhibition tickets, users 120 aredirected to the entertainment ticket provider.

The foregoing descriptions of the invention have been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. They are not exhaustive and donot limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teachings or may beacquired from practicing of the invention. For example, the describedimplementation includes software, but the present invention may beimplemented as a combination of hardware and software or in hardwarealone. Further, while certain exemplary methods have been described, itwill be appreciated that the order of the method may be rearranged andstages or steps may be substituted, modified, combined or otherwisealtered.

Additionally, although aspects of the present invention are described asbeing stored in memory, one skilled in the art will appreciate thatthese aspects can also be stored on other types of computer-readablemedia, such as secondary storage

1. A computer-implemented method for offering to sell entertainmenttickets over a network, the method comprising: providing exhibition dataimportation rules for importing exhibition data, the exhibition dataincluding an entertainment identification information, an entertainmentexhibition location, and an entertainment exhibition time;electronically receiving the exhibition data from a plurality ofexhibition data feeds in accordance with the exhibition data importationrules; electronically eliminating any duplicates from the exhibitiondata; and providing, over the network, to a user a listing ofentertainment exhibitions in accordance with user-selected criteria,wherein the listing provides an option to purchase an exhibition ticketfrom an entertainment ticket provider.
 2. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, wherein providing the listing of entertainmentexhibitions further comprises: randomizing the listing in relation to atleast one of the entertainment ticket provider and the exhibition datafeeds.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, whereinelectronically eliminating further comprises: electronically eliminatingany duplicates from the exhibition data in accordance with a comparisonmatrix.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising: acquiring entertainment data, the entertainment dataincluding entertainment-specific data corresponding to the entertainmentidentification information.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim1, wherein the user-selected criteria includes criteria selected fromthe group consisting of: a location information, an exhibition time, anentertainment name, an entertainment type, an entertainment rating, anentertainment release date, and an entertainment price.
 6. Acomputer-implemented method for providing an electronic template forentertainment tickets over a network, the method comprising: providingthe electronic template for displaying entertainment data, theentertainment data including entertainment-specific data correspondingto a specified entertainment, for use in a computer-implemented methodfor offering to sell entertainment tickets, the method for offering tosell comprising: receiving exhibition data, the exhibition dataincluding an entertainment identification information, an entertainmentexhibition location, and an entertainment exhibition time, wherein theexhibition data is obtained from a plurality of exhibition data feeds inaccordance with exhibition data importation rules and wherein theexhibition data is filtered for any duplicates, and providing, over thenetwork, to a user a listing of entertainment exhibitions in accordancewith user-selected criteria, wherein the listing provides an option topurchase an exhibition ticket from an entertainment ticket provider. 7.The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein providing thelisting of entertainment exhibitions further comprises: randomizing thelisting in relation to at least one of the entertainment ticket providerand the exhibition data feeds.
 8. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 7, wherein providing the electronic template includes determiningthe entertainment data to be displayed.
 9. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 7, wherein the entertainment data corresponds to amovie.
 10. A computer-implemented method for providing exhibition dataover a network, the method comprising: electronically sending theexhibition data for use in a computer-implemented method for offering tosell entertainment tickets, the method for offering to sell comprising:electronically receiving the exhibition data from a plurality ofexhibition data feeds in accordance with exhibition data importationrules, electronically eliminating any duplicates from the exhibitiondata, and providing to a user a listing of entertainment exhibitions inaccordance with user-selected criteria, wherein the listing provides anoption to purchase an exhibition ticket from an entertainment ticketprovider.
 11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, furthercomprising: collecting the exhibition data, wherein the exhibition dataincludes the entertainment identification information, the entertainmentexhibition location, and the entertainment exhibition time.
 12. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprising: acquiringentertainment data, the entertainment data includingentertainment-specific data corresponding to the entertainmentidentification information.
 13. A computer-readable medium containinginstructions for performing a method for offering to sell entertainmenttickets over a network, the method comprising: providing exhibition dataimportation rules for importing exhibition data, the exhibition dataincluding an entertainment identification information, an entertainmentexhibition location, and an entertainment exhibition time;electronically receiving the exhibition data from a plurality ofexhibition data feeds in accordance with the exhibition data importationrules; electronically eliminating any duplicates from the exhibitiondata; and providing, over the network, to a user a listing ofentertainment exhibitions in accordance with user-selected criteria,wherein the listing provides an option to purchase an exhibition ticketfrom an entertainment ticket provider.
 14. A computer-readable mediumcontaining instructions for performing a method for providing anelectronic template for entertainment tickets over a network, the methodcomprising: providing the electronic template for displayingentertainment data, the entertainment data includingentertainment-specific data corresponding to a specified entertainment,for use in a computer-implemented method for offering to sellentertainment tickets, the method for offering to sell comprising:receiving exhibition data, the exhibition data including anentertainment identification information, an entertainment exhibitionlocation, and an entertainment exhibition time, electronically receivingthe exhibition data in accordance with the electronic template, whereinthe exhibition data is obtained from a plurality of exhibition datafeeds in accordance with exhibition data importation rules and whereinthe exhibition data is filtered for any duplicates, and providing, overthe network, to a user a listing of entertainment exhibitions inaccordance with user-selected criteria, wherein the listing provides anoption to purchase an exhibition ticket from an entertainment ticketprovider.
 15. A computer-readable medium containing instructions forperforming a method for providing exhibition data over a network, themethod comprising: electronically sending the exhibition data for use ina computer-implemented method for offering to sell entertainmenttickets, the method for offering to sell comprising: electronicallyreceiving the exhibition data from a plurality of exhibition data feedsin accordance with exhibition data importation rules, electronicallyeliminating any duplicates from the exhibition data, and providing to auser a listing of entertainment exhibitions in accordance withuser-selected criteria, wherein the listing provides an option topurchase an exhibition ticket from an entertainment ticket provider. 16.A system for offering to sell entertainment tickets over a network,comprising: a data importation rule module for providing exhibition dataimportation rules for importing exhibition data, the exhibition dataincluding an entertainment identification information, an entertainmentexhibition location, and an entertainment exhibition time; an exhibitiondata receiving module for electronically receiving the exhibition datafrom a plurality of exhibition data feeds in accordance with theexhibition data importation rules; a duplicate elimination module forelectronically eliminating any duplicates from the exhibition data; anda listing module for providing, over the network, to a user a listing ofentertainment exhibitions in accordance with user-selected criteria,wherein the listing provides an option to purchase an exhibition ticketfrom an entertainment ticket provider.
 17. The system of claim 16,wherein the listing module randomizes the listing in relation to atleast one of the entertainment ticket provider and the exhibition datafeeds.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the duplicate eliminationmodule eliminates any duplicates from the exhibition data in accordancewith a comparison matrix.
 19. The system of claim 16, furthercomprising: an entertainment data acquisition module for acquiringentertainment data, the entertainment data includingentertainment-specific data corresponding to the entertainmentidentification information.
 20. The system of claim 16, wherein theuser-selected criteria includes criteria selected from the groupconsisting of: a location information, an exhibition time, anentertainment name, an entertainment type, an entertainment rating, anentertainment release date, and an entertainment price.
 21. A system forproviding an electronic template for entertainment tickets over anetwork, comprising: a template module for providing the electronictemplate for displaying entertainment data, the entertainment dataincluding entertainment-specific data corresponding to a specifiedentertainment, for use in a system for offering to sell entertainmenttickets, the system for offering to sell comprising: an exhibition datareceiving module for receiving exhibition data, the exhibition dataincluding an entertainment identification information, an entertainmentexhibition location, and an entertainment exhibition time, in accordancewith the electronic template, wherein the exhibition data is obtainedfrom a plurality of exhibition data feeds in accordance with exhibitiondata importation rules and wherein the exhibition data is filtered forany duplicates, and a listing module for providing, over the network, toa user a listing of entertainment exhibitions in accordance withuser-selected criteria, wherein the listing provides an option topurchase an exhibition ticket from an entertainment ticket provider. 22.A system for providing exhibition data over a network, comprising: anexhibition data sending module for electronically sending the exhibitiondata for use in a system for offering to sell entertainment tickets, thesystem for offering to sell comprising: an exhibition data receivingmodule for electronically receiving the exhibition data from a pluralityof exhibition data feeds in accordance with exhibition data importationrules, a duplicate elimination module for electronically eliminating anyduplicates from the exhibition data, and a listing module for providingto a user a listing of entertainment exhibitions in accordance withuser-selected criteria, wherein the listing provides an option topurchase an exhibition ticket from an entertainment ticket provider.